Too often we're recommended the same hot-topic new horrors and renowned classics. It seems we either gravitate to whatever Rotten Tomatoes has recently deemed "Certified Fresh," or go for the old staples. While classics like The Exorcist, The Shining, Jaws, and Halloween are legendary for a reason, we miss so much great horror in the process of picking out what's widely known. Some of the best horror films in existence are seldom talked about outside of the nerdiest, horror-loving circles.
As a culture, we flock to what's popping and ignore what's under the radar. In horror, much of the best material out there is flying way under the radar, no matter the decade it's from. Our goal in writing this is to put people onto the scariest gems. These films are, in no particular order, the most underrated horror films of all time. Some are already somewhat beloved in horror circles, and we just want them to receive more attention from the general masses. Others, we hope, are obscure even to the average scary movie lover.
Updated May 2023: If you are looking for some new underrated horror movies to add to your watch list, you're in luck. This article has been updated with even more chilling content and entries by Nikole Finger.
40 Let's Scare Jessica to Death (1971)
Let's Scare Jessica to Death is a heavily atmospheric, slow-burning darn-near masterpiece that doesn't even have the cult following it deserves. Much of the film relies on sounds and feel to terrify, but it's not short on haunting visuals, either. This flick has a Rosemary's Baby-like buildup for a frightening finale, though it gets under your skin throughout. It's slow in the right ways, and outright odd in its entirety. Most of the film pre-climax isn't clear on what the horror you're witnessing actually is — is this paranormal or just paranoia? The ambiguity of it is gripping. With a title as good as Let's Scare Jessica to Death, we don't know how so few have seen it.
39 Messiah of Evil (1974)
Let it be known — Messiah of Evil is one of the most underrated horror flicks of all time. As bold a statement as that is, we kind of stand by it. More confidently, we can say it's the most overlooked zombie classic ever made. It was done by then-fresh out-of-film school couple and Spielberg collaborators Willard Hyuck and his wife Gloria Katz, and meant to be their artful take on the Italian horrors of Argento and Bava. It's not just holding a candle to '70s Italian horror — it's as beautifully crafted, visually appealing, and creepy as any of Argento's films.
Messiah of Evil is a bizarre slow-burner that has at least two of the best zombie scenes ever put on film. It's meandering and weird. Pieces of it almost seem missing, leading Messiah of Evil to seem a little absent of explanation, but that's just fine. The lack of backstory and dryness of the characters makes this strange '70s zombie flick even more capable of being etched into your brain.
38 The Funhouse (1981)
The Funhouse is an almost undefinable horror gem from master Tobe Hooper. Our guess as to why it never received its due is because it followed Texas Chain Saw Massacre, and no director could follow that film with an equal or better one. It's part-slasher/part-monster movie, and even a little paranormal in ambiance. While it might be a fun early 80s romp, The Funhouse is a pleasingly dark little nightmare, with at least a few scenes so gritty and disturbing they'll sit with you long after viewing. Carnivals are so very ripe for horror and seemingly underused, and this is the greatest carnival-set horror after Carnival of Souls.
37 The Blob (1958)
The Blob is a bit of a cheesy horror flick, but that is part of what makes it a perfect addition to this list. An alien life form invades a small town, and while at first, the creature seems to be an unassuming, well, blob, the alien grows with each victim it devours. It may not be the scariest movie out there, but there is something terrifying about a giant creature that is so mysterious and out of control. There is obviously plenty of charm with this movie, as The Blob was remade in 1988, and Rob Zombie was once in talks to make yet another version that ultimately ended up being canceled.
36 The House by the Cemetery (1981)
This is the third in Lucio Fulci's Gates of Hell trilogy following The Beyond and City of the Living Dead, and it's the most overlooked of the bunch. In typical Fulci fashion, The House by the Cemetery is borderline plotless, poorly dubbed, and delightfully gory. If you can get past the terrible voiceover of the young boy, this is a frightening watch from start to finish. Fulci gives us his trademark stylistic shots and upsetting sights, many of which are plain questionably weird, but we'd expect nothing less from the twisted Italian goremaster.
35 In the Mouth of Madness (1994)
In the Mouth of Madness is one of John Carpenter's greatest works that hardly receives its shine. It plays out as though Carpenter didn't care anymore and simply wanted to wedge in every possible element of horror. We often overuse the term "Lovecraftian," but In The Mouth of Madness most definitely borrows from the ideas of Lovecraft. This film is the perfect blend of scary madness.
From brutal murders to grotesque monsters, to infuriatingly eerie children, In The Mouth of Madness has it all. It also has, in our opinion, one of the most haunting scenes out there, which is the elderly man/child peddling his bike down an empty rural road late at night. It might not creep out modern horror audiences quite as badly as it does me, but we appreciate the sick horror of it.
34 Tourist Trap (1979)
Tourist Trap begins with the all-too-cliche teens getting stranded plot, though it's anything but standard. This is a suspenseful, grim, and memorably hair-raising flick. One might say mannequins are underused in horror, but Tourist Trap utilizes killer mannequins perfectly. There's an array of them, and those terrifying bastards will certainly give you the creeps.
Tourist Trap seems predictable, and it's one of those movies that you think you have figured out early, but there are some major twists in this one. Not to mention turns! It's yet another film on the list that has an almost unpinpointable genre — It's a slasher in its essence, but more layered and psychologically gripping than your average one of the time.
33 Jennifer's Body (2009)
Jennifer's Body has a small but loyal following who often claim this is one of the most underrated horror movies out there, making it a perfect addition to this list. Megan Fox plays Jennifer Check, the popular girl in school. Her best friend, Anita "Needy" Lesnicki, perfectly portrayed by Amanda Seyfried, is a quiet nerd who has some hidden feelings for her friend.
Jennifer is infatuated with a local emo band, who end up sacrificing her as a virgin in exchange for fame. However, the ritual ends with her being possessed, as she was not actually a virgin. The film has a perfect blend of comedy, horror, and food for thought. Instead of having a traditional "final girl," Needy is the last one left, and she has no intentions of leaving the horrors she witnessed behind. The inciting incident stems from the perceived value of a virgin and the demonization (literally) of a woman who didn't save herself for marriage, so it's no wonder this film is a favorite of the two leads.
Jennifer's Body has gained more popularity in recent years, but it is still not as popular as it deserves to be.
32 The Burning (1981)
Forget Friday the 13th, The Burning is the very best woodsy summer camp slasher out there. It's beautifully brutal, surprisingly well-made, and it features a very young Jason Alexander, better known as George Costanza. It of course relies on the hackneyed concept of horned-up teenagers getting murdered, but that's simply what people wanted to see in the '80s. Don't write The Burning off as everyday slasher fare — it's shot smartly enough to be compelling and inventive, and the kills are satisfyingly gorey and inspired.
31 The Sentinel (1977)
Another one of the greatest sleepers of all time, The Sentinel is a weird, atmospheric treasure. It's Rosemary's Baby meets The Exorcist, but more perverted and strange. Much like the aforementioned Let's Scare Jessica to Death, The Sentinel is a creepily slow burn, packed with some of the most bizarre visuals you'll witness, many of which aren't classically horror moments.
You'll hide your face in horror, and you'll be continuously guessing what's going on. It's worth noting that director Michael Winner got in a little hot water for using people with actual deformities in this as opposed to using makeup. Deranged as that face may be, it adds to the already unsettling nature of this spooky ride.
30 Let Sleeping Corpses Lie (1974)
Also known by its alternate title as The Living Dead at Manchester Morgue, Let Sleeping Corpses Lie is a visually appealing and highly slept-on Spanish zombie flick. While it moves at a crawling pace, it's the slowness that truly chills here. The zombies, if you were wondering, are subtle and tastefully done, which is effective. Additionally, there's some shockingly decent character development. The attention to story and depth of the leads set Let Sleeping Corpses Lie from the many European films inspired by Night of the Living Dead.
29 The Case of the Bloody Iris (1972)
The Case of the Bloody Iris is an Italian Giallo film, which is a specific subgenre of murder mystery film that has many shared elements of a traditional slasher film. The Case of the Bloody Iris is an extremely dark film that is not for the faint of heart. It deals with sexual exploitation, jealously, and obsession. While it may not be a conventional horror film, as it is a dramatic mystery film first and foremost, it is worth a watch for fans of tension and mystery. The film keeps the audience guessing until the very end.
28 Children Shouldn't Play with Dead Things (1972)
Underrated horror legend Bob Clark (and director of A Christmas Story) kicked off his career with this nightmarish slow-burner. Children Shouldn't Play with Dead Things is unique in that it's packed with funny lines throughout, yet the feeling of dread is present from beginning to end. The mere concept is disturbing, and the subject matter doesn't disappoint. It features some of the spookiest zombies in film history, and some of the most polarizing characters to date. Children Shouldn't Play with Dead Things is a skin-crawling must-see for zombie and horror fans alike. Lovers of atmosphere will especially appreciate this hellish theater geek trip gone wrong.
27 Eraserhead (1977)
Before the popular anime character, surrealist painter David Lynch used the name Eraserhead for his surrealist horror film. Henry Spencer lives in an abstract world, suddenly becoming a father to a strange little reptilian baby. The body horror film has plenty of visuals to make anyone feel a bit squeamish.
While the entire film is highly abstract and full of disturbing concepts and sights, a big inspiration for Lynch in creating this film was becoming a father himself. His daughter was born with some birth defects, leaving Lynch terrified of how he could protect this delicate little life he suddenly created. Perhaps these very humble themes are what make it popular among the small group of loyal Eraserhead fans.
26 Black Christmas (1974)
Some more Bob Clark for you, Black Christmas is one of our favorite horrors of all time. Although Halloween gets credit for being the first slasher flick, Black Christmas did it years prior. One Missed Call is known for the "calls are coming from inside the house" trope, but Black Christmas also did that first. This flick is raw, touching in an unorthodox way, and genuinely funny. It's also one of the most unsettling movies you'll ever watch. We aren't even sure this could be considered "underrated," as the cult fan base has really grown, but it's the best horror that isn't considered a classic.
25 City of the Living Dead (1980)
We covered the third in Fulci's trilogy, and now it's time for the second. City of the Living Dead is a tad difficult to follow plot-wise, but as with all Fulci movies, the plot primarily doesn't matter. He's purely about the grotesque visuals, and there's no shortage of them here. Nowhere else will you see a woman literally vomiting up her intestines; certainly not in such an artful way. Fulci's the master of gore, and City of the Living Dead is loaded with it.
24 Burnt Offerings (1976)
While it sounds like your average haunted house flick, Burnt Offerings is an eerie standout above the rest of the subgenre. It's as psychological as it is paranormal, and that makes for a thrilling, snaillike, spooky ride. The dream sequence with the infamous limo driver is one of the most fever-dreamish, perturbing visuals out there, and we would recommend watching solely for those scenes, but as a whole Burnt Offerings is one solid paranormal punch.
23 Prince of Darkness (1987)
It's ballsy to call the work of a legend like John Carpenter "underrated," but let's face the facts: Halloween, The Thing, and even The Fog get way more love than Prince of Darkness, and it's just as great as those films. It's scary with a wonderful score, just as any Carpenter film is, but it's the most fun of the bunch. The characters are easy to care about, and the dialogue is actually quite funny. Additionally, it does have many horrifying scenes and memorably gross visuals. Prince of Darkness is a sign of the times — there's no mistaking it's an '80s flick, and the slight camp tricks modern horror lovers into thinking this isn't The Thing level.
22 Magic (1978)
Magic is definitely more of a thriller than it is a horror, but let's not ignore that ventriloquist dummies notoriously scare many of us. Anthony Hopkins is brilliant in this psychological nightmare, as he gradually loses his grip on reality, and you're forced to deteriorate along with him. It's a drawn-out nervous breakdown with glimpses of true horror. Plus, Burgess Meredith is in it, so you know it's a piece of upsetting '70s greatness. While it doesn't run on an inspired idea, it's crafted to genuinely disturb and the superb cast makes this worth repeat viewings.
21 Tombs of the Blind Dead (1972)
Tombs of the Blind Dead is an early '70s Spanish zombie fright fest with a unique army of the undead. It has its share of flaws — the heavy reliance on atmosphere makes for some painfully slow, overly dramatic moments, but it's visually stunning, excessively violent for the time period, and quite haunting in parts. The Templar zombie knights are impressive and specific to this series, and the chanting sounds create some atmospheric greatness. Zombie fans and lovers of classic Euro-horror need this Spanish take on Night of the Living Dead in their arsenal.
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